Working toward a greener future.

Here at Staples, we practice a philosophy that reflects our commitment to corporate responsibility – the environment being a key player. It's called Staples SoulSM.

Staples is focused on positive changes that truly make a difference for the planet. Innovative environmental products and services and implementing energy conservation, waste reduction and green building initiatives are just a handful of examples of how we're being green every day.

Staples focuses its environmental programs on three major areas: products, recycling services and internal operations.

Integrating environmental considerations into the development of new Staples® brand products, including our Sustainable Earth by Staples™ brand of products that meet strict standards for environmental excellence.

Working to measure and improve the sustainability of our paper product offering. Take a look at our new Paper Procurement Policy, which outlines our commitments, including making sure that the majority of our paper products are FSC-certified, as well as increasing our use of recycled and alternative fibers.

In September 2009, Staples enrolled in the Rainforest Alliance's SmartSource program, which has helped us build a responsible sourcing program that gradually and steadily moves suppliers toward more sustainable paper procurement practices.

Recycling services

As one of the world's leading ink recyclers, Staples was one of the first national retailers to offer an in-store technology recycling program.

Staples recycled more than 50 million ink and toner cartridges in 2009

In 2009, Staples collected more than 7.8 million pounds of technology waste for responsible recycling through our retail technology recycling program

Staples has recycled more than 100,000 cell phones and PDAs since 2005 through our partnership with Collective Good, which recycles and refurbishes small electronics Internal Operations

Internal operations

On the road and in our corporate headquarters, we are constantly striving for ways to be more eco-conscious.

Staples purchases 144 million kWh of green power in the form of renewable energy certificates, equivalent to 20% of Staples' total national electricity use. This quantity of green power purchased helps offset more than 156,000 tons of carbon dioxide, or equivalent to what would be emitted by the annual electricity use of more than 18,400 average U.S. homes (source: www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator).

As of April 2010, we have 32 sites hosting rooftop solar installations and another 100 sites under consideration for hosting solar systems. Solar power will provide an estimated 4.9 million kWh of clean energy for Staples' facilities in 2009

Staples has obtained U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification at two distribution and sales facilities and two retail stores as of April 2010. Several additional new and existing facilities are actively seeking certification.

Staples is one of the largest corporate purchasers of green power in the country, ranked No. 5 among all retailers by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and No. 28 among all partners as of April 2010.

By limiting the top speed of our delivery fleet trucks and implementing idling management technologies, Staples has improved fleet fuel economy by more than 25% since 2007. We're saving nearly 1 million gallons of diesel fuel annually due to these changes.